It is currently believed that the most conspicuous geological feature of Cyprus is the collision of the Euro-Asian and African tectonic plates with look place about 80 million years ago.  About 25 million years ago, during the Lower Miocene era, the igneous complex of Troodos constituted an isle, while the Mesaoria plain, to the north, and the Pentadaktylos or Kerynia range, further north, were under the sea.  By the end of the Miocene era, about 11 million years ago, the Pentadaktylos started elevating above the sea, while the Mesaoria plain remained under the sea, to appear much later during the Pleistocene era, about one million years ago. All other details of the geological history of Cyprus, particularly those concerning the coastline, were formed later.  It is this tempestuous geological history which is responsible for a great variety of rocks: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary, hard and soft, fractured and unaltered, of different colour and texture, now at a small distance from each other on the island’s surface. The present topography of Cyprus can be sub-divided into five morphological regions:

1. Kerynia or Pentadactylos range. This is the northern mountain chain of Cyprus, appearing as a narrow arc-like strip of land.  The highest summit, Kyparissovouno, reaches a height of 1024 meters and is made up of relatively hard limestones.
2. The ophiolite massif of Troodos.  The central-western part of Cyprus is occupied by the igneous massif of Troodos.  The resistant igneous rocks of this mountain block (dunnites, serpentinite, gabbros, diabase, etc.)
3. The hills around the igneous massif of Troodos and south of the Kerynia range.  They extend mainly east, south and west of the ophiolite complex of Troodos and consist mainly of chalks. They give rise to a rounded, bare, white landscape, under dry-fed cultivations, particularly vineyards.
4. Central plain. The central plain of Cyprus, often known as Mesaoria, lies between the two mountains and has a very low altitude which does not  exceed 180 meters a.s.l. close to Nicosia.  It consists of sediments which have been transported and deposited by steams in recent geological times from the Troodos and the Kerynia ranges.
5. Coastal Plains. Almost around Cyprus appear narrow coastal plains which in fact are raised beaches.  In the north is the coastal plain of Kerynia which is very narrow but with scenic laced beaches.  To the south is the plain of Larnaka lying below 100 meters a.s.l. and composed of alluvium and terrace deposits of recent geological formation.  The most important geomorphological feature is the Salt Lake separated from the sea by porous deposits. The coastal plain of Limassol, lying below 200m, occupies mainly the Akrotiri peninsula with extensions to Pissouri -Avdimou to the west and small areas east of Amathous.  The most conspicuous geomorphological feature of the region is the Akrotiri Lake. The coastal plain of Chrysochou extends east and west of Polis and includes part of the narrow Chrysochou valley to the south.

Extract from  the Touring Guide of Cyprus published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS

A visit to Stavros tis Psokas is recommended for those who like to get acquainted with the mountainous forested landscape of Cyprus and particularly those who like to see on the spot moufflon’s, a unique endemic species of the sheep family.  The visitor can approach Stavros tis Psokas through the village of Lysos.  Though the distance on the map appears to be short, nevertheless, the time required is rather long, since the traveller must follow earthen, meandering, often narrow roads.  The road is, however, hard and resistant, as it lies on igneous rocks. The dominant forest tree throughout the route is the pine and the golden oak.  Wild olive trees appear in some areas while the plane trees grow in deep valleys. On the way to Stavros tis Psokas the traveller might be lucky to meet groups of moufflon. 

Stavros tis Psokas is a forest settlement, with filed, steep pitched houses made of wood, including guest houses for those who would like to spend a few nights in the Station. 

The environment at Stavros, amid the lush vegetation of pines, chestnut and cypress trees, next to cader, golden oak and maple is very pleasant, quiet and cool, particularly in the worm summer days.  In an enclosure the visitor can see the moufflon, the national animal of Cyprus. A few deer, kept for acclimatization in enclosures, can also been seen.  They are beautiful, fast running animals with the males having deciduous antlers. The deers, as historically know, used to live in Cyprus up to the Middle Ages.  They were abundant in almost all the forests of Cyprus. A few trails have been set up for those who would like to combine the visit with walking amid a cool, refreshing, forested landscape.

Moufflon

Moufflon is an old as the first inhabitants of Cyprus or the first Neolithic settlements of the island.  In Neolithic times it was hunted and caught for its meat as well as for its bones. Later on, particularly in the Hellenistic-Roman time, its presence is evidenced by the mosaics of Pafos.  In the Middle Ages it was the game of the noble Frankish ruling class.

In 1939, the Forest of Pafos, where the animals live, was declared a reserve area. The moufflon has been used on stamps, coins, posters, etc. Though in the past moufflons   could be encountered in the Troodos Forest, currently they are confined to the Forest of Pafos.  There is a seasonal movement to higher areas of the forest in summer and to the lower in winter.  Its pale brown hair protects it from the enemy, as it resembles the colour of the natural vegetation. The moufflon belongs to the sheep family with the male having horns like those of a ram, and the female bearing no horns.  The animals live from 15 to 20 years and are very elegant, powerful and handsome. As soon as they feel the presence of the man they disappear. Normally they appear in groups of five or six

Extract from  the Touring Guide of Pafos published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS LTD

Akamas, situated to the extreme north-west part of Pafos, often referred to as Akamas Peninsula, is a rugged, wild and attractive area with unspoilt beaches and rocky coastline.  Its flora is undisturbed with some rare plant species. However, Akamas is not simply a natural region with special geology, geomorphology and natural vegetation, but a very interesting cultural region as well with a history dating back to a few thousand years.  This pristine area, where man lived since the Chalcolithic period, has been frequently looted and attacked by Arab raids, particularly in the seventh century A.D., a fact which forced the local inhabitants to move inland leaving behind villages, hamlets and chapels.

Akamas together with the forest of Pafos, particularly Stavros tis Psokas, are popular destinations for tourists, particularly those seeking tranquillity and peace as well as scientists (botanists, geographers, geologists, ornithologists, etc), but also artists and writers. Furthermore, Akamas is a stopover place for millions of migratory birds on their route from Europe to Africa and vice versa.

There are many interpretations concerning the etymology of Akamas, the most prevalent of which is that of Akamas, the son of Theseus, who arrived in Cyprus after the Trojan war and founded Akamantis, a town in the Akamas region, still unearthed.

Geology

The geology of Akamas is rather complex, while the rocks are quite varied. In fact, in Akamas the visitor finds rocks of the ophiolithic complex of Troodos, a large variety of sedimentary rocks as well as rocks of the Mamonia Complex.  The ridge of the peninsula coincides with serpentinised rocks fringed on the west by gabbros, plagiogranites as well as diabase. Further west, lavas, mainly basalts, even not continuous, occupy a significant part of the peninsula.  The most significant sedimentary rocks are the reef limestone, particularly on the Lara “Salt Lake”, a few bentonites and sandstone of Kannaviou formation, the limestone of Koronia, gravels and sands on the terraced beaches and a few alluvium deposits.  Terrace deposits, thought interrupted, extend from Lara to the cape of Akamas,

However, the Mamonia complex is the most interesting feature of the geology of Akamas. They are allochthonous igneous and sedimentary rocks of an unknown age.  The most important of these rocks are thin bedded radiolarian cherts, siltstones, mudstones, limestones, calcarenites, quartzitic sandstones and grey-green sandstones with fossil remains. Besides, a few metamorphic rocks can be found close to the Baths of Aphrodite, consisting of schists, quartzite red phyllites, marbles etc. The specialists who visit Akamas are more interested in the ophiolithic complex of the region which, in essence, is a miniature of the ophiolithic complex of Troodos. However, the relationship of these two complexes is not yet abundantly clear.

Minerals

Magnesite is one of the ores that were extracted and exported about 75 years ago.  Magnesia is the locality of the abandoned mine. The visitor can still see shafts and kilns where in the past a mining activity was thriving.

Copper and iron deposits are present in the peninsula of Akamas, though not sufficient to be exploited. Most of the bentonitic deposits are situated outside the actual Akamas region, while marble are limited in quantity. Even reef limestone, of exceptional quality, lies to the east of the region, in the area of Androlikou. Besides, “black earth” was also extracted and exported abroad a few decades ago.

Scenery and Landscape

The geology of Akamas, particularly the presence of a large variety of rocks as well as their structure, has greatly affected the scenery of Akamas.

In fact, a ridge with a NW-SE direction divides the peninsula of Akamas, particularly the Forest of Akamas, into two parts with a number of streams flowing west.  This ridge coincides with an anticline following the same direction. Relief reaches 494m at Vlambouros, NW of Fasli and 428 at Mavri Shinia, north of Smigies.  Due to the streams which dissect the landscape to the west, a number of tiny deep valleys and gorges have been formed, while marine terraces, though narrow, have been formed, currently followed by an earthen road. The same marine terraces appear to the east reaching the Baths of Aphrodite.  Akamas is considered to be the most pristine region of Cyprus.

Extract from  the Touring Guide of Pafos published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS LTD